Hydraulic and pneumatic operative diaphragm valve

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a diaphragm valve. When a chamber is expanded by fluid supply into a pipe-shaped button, a valve stem is slightly moved upward by a rod and a shaft to open an outlet of an orifice. Fluid received in a space between a cap and a diaphragm and having a high pressure is discharged into an outlet-side space, whereby the diaphragm opens a guide conduit. When fluid is discharged from the pipe-shaped button, the diaphragm is moved toward the guide conduit, and the valve stem closes the outlet. The fluid in the inlet-side space has a high pressure, and the fluid in the space between the cap and diaphragm has a low pressure. The high pressure fluid flows toward the low pressure fluid through a pilot hole of the diaphragm. When fluid pressure balance is effected between the spaces, the diaphragm closes the guide conduit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a diaphragm valve forcontrolling fluid flow using a diaphragm, and more particularly, thepresent invention relates to a hydraulically and pneumatically operateddiaphragm valve which is constructed to allow a diaphragm to open a flowpath when a chamber of a bladder member communicated with a button isexpanded and to close the flow path when the chamber of the bladdermember is returned to its original state, thereby hydraulically andpneumatically controlling fluid flow even under a situation whereelectricity is not supplied and thus a solenoid valve cannot be used. Inthe hydraulically and pneumatically operated diaphragm valve, thebutton, which operates the diaphragm, is sealed while accommodatingtherein working fluid, so that, when the button is pressed, the chamberof the bladder member communicated with the button is expanded, and,when the button is released, the chamber of the bladder member returnsto its original state, whereby, as the diaphragm opens and closes theflow path, it is possible to manually control fluid flow in a convenientmanner.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In a conventional fluid control valve, a flow path is opened andclosed by rotating a stick-shaped lever leftward and rightward. Thistype of fluid control valve suffers from defects in that, since thelever must be rotated every time the flow path is opened and closed,inconvenience is caused upon use. Also, because fluid is unintentionallydischarged through the opened flow path until the lever is completelyrotated to a closing position, waste of fluid is increased.

[0003] Another conventional fluid control valve is disclosed in the art,in which a lever provided at an upper end of a valve body is manipulatedupward and downward to open and close the valve and rotated leftward andrightward to adjust a temperature of water. However, this fluid controlvalve also suffers from defects in that, since the lever is provided atthe upper end of the valve body and thereby must be manipulated everytime the flow path is opened and closed, inconvenience is caused uponuse and waste of fluid is increased.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve theproblems occurring in the related art.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a hydraulically and pneumatically operated diaphragm valvecomprising: a valve housing defined at both side walls thereof with afluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the valve housing possessing an upperend opening and a lower end opening which are communicated with theinside of the valve housing, the valve housing having formed therein anupright wall which divides a space in the valve housing into aninlet-side space and an outlet-side space, the valve housing beingprojectedly formed at a center portion thereof with a guide conduitthrough which fluid introduced into the valve housing through the fluidinlet can flow to be discharged through the fluid outlet; a capdetachably assembled to an upper wall of the valve housing to close theupper end opening of the valve housing; a holder detachably assembled toa lower wall of the valve housing in opposition to the cap to becommunicated with the lower end opening of the valve housing, andformed, on an inner surface thereof and adjacent to a lower end thereof,with an inward flange; a button having a configuration of a pipe memberin a manner such that a bladder member, which is fixedly received in theholder by being squeezed against the inward flange of the holder, isconnected to one end of the pipe member, and the other end of the pipemember projects out of the holder to be externally supplied with workingfluid and thereby allow the bladder member to be expanded; fluidcontrolling means arranged between the guide conduit and the cap, thefluid controlling means being configured in a manner such that, when avalve stem is moved upward by expansion of the bladder member and anorifice defined through a valve seat is opened, fluid accommodated in avalve chamber defined between the cap and a diaphragm is dischargedthrough the orifice into the outlet-side space, that, as the valvechamber has a low pressure, the diaphragm opens the guide conduit underaction of a high pressure in the inlet-side space and fluid in theinlet-side space flows through the guide conduit into the outlet-sidespace, that, when the bladder member returns to its original state byevacuation of the working fluid from the bladder member, the diaphragmand the valve stem are returned to their original positions by first andsecond elastic members respectively interposed between the cap and asupport plate and between the cap and the valve stem, and that, as highpressure fluid accommodated in the inlet-side space flows through apilot hole defined in the diaphragm into the valve chamber, when fluidpressure balance is effected between the inlet-side space and the valvechamber, the diaphragm closes the guide conduit and interrupts fluidflow from the inlet-side space into the outlet-side space; and powertransmission means configured in a manner such that it is moved upwardby expansion of the bladder member of the button and transmits expansionforce of the bladder member to the valve stem so as to allow the valvestem to open the orifice of the valve seat, and it returns to itsoriginal position when the bladder member returns to its original state.

[0006] By this feature of the present invention, since the button can behydraulically and pneumatically manipulated in a remote manner, thediaphragm valve according to the present invention can be used in lieuof a solenoid valve. In particular, at a place where electricity is notsupplied, fluid flow can be controlled by manually pressing the button.

[0007] The diaphragm valve according to the present invention can beconstructed in a manner such that it is installed in a kitchen orbathroom and conveniently manipulated to prevent waste of water.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a hydraulically and pneumatically operated diaphragm valvecomprising: a valve housing defined at one side wall thereof with afluid inlet and at a lower wall thereof with a fluid outlet, the valvehousing possessing an upper end opening which is defined in oppositionto the fluid outlet and communicated with the inside of the valvehousing, the valve housing having formed therein an upright wall whichdivides a space in the valve housing into an inlet-side space and anoutlet-side space, the valve housing being projectedly formed at acenter portion thereof with a guide conduit through which fluidintroduced into the valve housing through the fluid inlet can flow to bedischarged through the fluid outlet; a cap detachably assembled to anupper wall of the valve housing to close the upper end opening of thevalve housing; a flow connector installed in the outlet-side opening ofthe valve housing concentrically with the guide conduit, the flowconnector being defined, on an upper wall thereof, with a center holeand, on a side wall thereof and adjacent to an opened lower end thereof,with at least one fluid passage through which fluid passing through theguide conduit can flow toward the fluid outlet; a button having a pipemember and first and second bladder members which are connected to bothends of the pipe member, the button being filled with working fluid, thefirst bladder member projecting to the outside through an assemblinghole defined in the other side wall of the valve housing and the secondbladder member being fixed in the center hole of the flow connector, ina manner such that, when the fist bladder member is pressed andreleased, the second bladder member is expanded and returns to itsoriginal state, respectively; fluid controlling means arranged betweenthe guide conduit and the cap, the fluid controlling means beingconfigured in a manner such that, when a valve stem is moved upward bypressing of the first bladder member and expansion of the second bladdermember and an orifice defined through a valve seat is opened, highpressure fluid accommodated in a valve chamber defined between the capand a diaphragm is discharged through the orifice into the outlet-sidespace having a low pressure, that, as the valve chamber has a lowpressure, the diaphragm opens the guide conduit under action of a highpressure in the inlet-side space and fluid in the inlet-side space flowsthrough the guide conduit into the outlet-side space, that, when thefirst bladder member is released and the second bladder member returnsto its original state, the diaphragm and the valve stem are returned totheir original positions by first and second elastic membersrespectively interposed between the cap and a support plate and betweenthe cap and the valve stem, and that, as high pressure fluidaccommodated in the inlet-side space flows through a pilot hole definedin the diaphragm into the valve chamber, when fluid pressure balance iseffected between the inlet-side space and the valve chamber, thediaphragm closes the guide conduit and interrupts fluid flow from theinlet-side space into the outlet-side space; and a power transmissionshaft disposed in the guide conduit and having an upper end which isjoined to a lower end of the valve stem and a lower end which is broughtinto contact with the second bladder member, the power transmissionshaft being configured in a manner such that it is moved upward byexpansion of the second bladder member of the button and transmitsexpansion force of the second bladder member to the valve stem so as toallow the valve stem to open the orifice of the valve seat.

[0009] By this feature of the present invention, in the case that thepresent diaphragm valve is installed on a urinal, since it is possibleto wash the urinal using water discharged by softly pressing theprojected button, even children or old and feeble persons canconveniently manipulate the diaphragm valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The above objects, and other features and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent after a reading of thefollowing detailed description when taken in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a hydraulically andpneumatically operated diaphragm valve in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away front view illustrating thediaphragm valve of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valve shownin FIG. 1, illustrating a state wherein a flow path is closed;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valve shownin FIG. 1, illustrating a state wherein the flow path is opened;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a hydraulically andpneumatically operated diaphragm valve in accordance with a secondembodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valve shownin FIG. 5, illustrating a state wherein a flow path is closed;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valve shownin FIG. 5, illustrating a state wherein the flow path is opened;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a hydraulically andpneumatically operated diaphragm valve in accordance with a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 9 shows a side cross-sectional view and a partial frontcross-sectional view of the diaphragm valve shown in FIG. 8,illustrating a state wherein a flow path is closed;

[0020]FIG. 10 shows a side cross-sectional view and a partial frontcross-sectional view of the diaphragm valve shown in FIG. 8,illustrating a state wherein the flow path is opened;

[0021]FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a hydraulically andpneumatically operated diaphragm valve in accordance with a fourthembodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valveshown in FIG. 11, illustrating a state wherein a flow path is closed;

[0023]FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valveshown in FIG. 11, illustrating a state wherein the flow path is opened;

[0024]FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a hydraulically andpneumatically operated diaphragm valve in accordance with a fifthembodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valveshown in FIG. 14, illustrating a state wherein a flow path is closed;

[0026]FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valveshown in FIG. 14, illustrating a state wherein the flow path is opened;and

[0027]FIG. 17 is a front view of the diaphragm valve shown in FIG. 14,illustrating a state wherein a button is attached to a shower unit.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0028] Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferredembodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numeralswill be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to thesame or like parts.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is shown a hydraulicallyand pneumatically operated diaphragm valve in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention. The hydraulically and pneumaticallyoperated diaphragm valve designated by reference numeral 1 comprises avalve housing 2, a cap 3, a holder 4, a button 5, fluid controllingmeans 6, and power transmission means. The valve housing 2 is definedtherein with a fluid path. The cap 3 closes an upper end opening of thevalve housing 2. The holder 4 is fitted into a lower end opening of thevalve housing 2. The button 5 has a configuration of a pipe member in amanner such that a bladder member 14, which is fixedly received in theholder 4, is connected to one end of the pipe member, and the other endof the pipe member is drawn out of the holder 4. When working fluid isexternally supplied through the other end of the pipe member, thebladder member 14 is expanded, and, when working fluid is dischargedthrough the other end of the pipe member, the bladder member 14 returnsto its original state, so that the fluid path of the valve housing 2 isopened and closed, respectively. The fluid controlling means 6 has adiaphragm 17. The diaphragm 17 functions to open the fluid path when thebladder member 14 of the button 5 is expanded and close the fluid pathwhen the bladder member 14 of the button 5 returns to its originalstate. The power transmission means is positioned between the button 5and the fluid controlling means 6. When the bladder member 14 of thebutton 5 is expanded, the power transmission means is moved upward andtransmits power to allow the diaphragm 17 to open the fluid path.

[0030] The valve housing 2 is defined at both side walls thereof with afluid inlet 7 and a fluid outlet 8. The valve housing 2 possesses theupper end opening and the lower end opening which are communicated withthe inside of the valve housing 2. The valve housing 2 has formedtherein an upright wall 9 which divides a space in the valve housing 2into an inlet-side space A and an outlet-side space B. The valve housing2 is projectedly formed at a center portion thereof with a guide conduit10 through which fluid introduced into the valve housing 2 through thefluid inlet 7 can flow to be discharged through the fluid outlet 8.

[0031] Both side walls of the valve housing 2 which define the fluidinlet 7 and outlet 8 are formed with internal threads.

[0032] The guide conduit 10 projects at the widthwise center portion ofthe valve housing 2 toward the cap 3 which closes the upper end openingof the valve housing 2. The guide conduit 10 is opened and closed by thefluid controlling means 6 which is installed in the upper end opening ofthe valve housing 2.

[0033] The cap 3 is detachably assembled to an upper wall of the valvehousing 2. After the fluid controlling means 6 is installed in the upperend opening of the valve housing 2, the cap 3 closes the upper endopening. While it is illustrated in the drawings that the cap 3 islocked to the valve housing 2 by means of a lock nut 11, it is to bereadily understood that the cap 3 can be locked to the valve housing 2in a diversity of different ways.

[0034] The cap 3 has a receptacle-shaped contour. A receiving groove 12for receiving an upper end of a valve stem 20 constituting the fluidcontrolling means 6 is defined at a center portion of the cap 3.

[0035] The holder 4 serves to receive the button 5. The holder 4 isdetachably assembled to a lower wall of the valve housing 2 inopposition to the cap 3 to be communicated with the lower end opening ofthe valve housing 2. The holder 4 is formed, on an inner surface thereofand adjacent to a lower end thereof, with an inward flange 13 againstwhich the bladder member 14 of the button 5 is squeezed.

[0036] As described above, the button 5 has the configuration of thepipe member in a manner such that the bladder member 14, which isfixedly received in the holder 4 by being squeezed against the inwardflange 13 of the holder 4, is connected to one end of the pipe member,and the other end of the pipe member is drawn out of the holder 4. Here,an outward flange 15 is formed on a circumferential outer surface of thepipe member of the button 5. Due to the fact that a tightening nut 16 isthreadedly coupled to the holder 4, the outward flange 15 squeezes afree end portion of the bladder member 14 against the inward flange 13of the holder 4. It is preferred that the bladder member 14 is made of asoft material such as rubber.

[0037] In the button 5 structured as described above, as working fluidis externally supplied through the pipe member which is drawn out of theholder 4, the bladder member 14 is expanded to move upward the powertransmission means. By the upward movement of the power transmissionmeans, the valve stem 20 opens an orifice 19 defined in a valve seat 18to allow fluid flow through the orifice 19.

[0038] In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pipemember of the button 5 which is drawn out of the holder 4 is connectedwith a working fluid supplier S. Therefore, the bladder member 14 isexpanded by working fluid (air or liquid) supplied from the workingfluid supplier S to control fluid flow from the fluid inlet 7 toward thefluid outlet 8. The working fluid supplier S may be automatically ormanually actuated.

[0039] While working fluid supplied into the button 5 may comprise air,it is preferred that the working fluid comprises liquid having a lowcompressibility in view of operational precision.

[0040] The fluid controlling means 6 includes the diaphragm 17, thevalve seat 18, the valve stem 20, a support plate 21, and first andsecond elastic members 22 and 23. The diaphragm 17 is made of an elasticmaterial and functions to open and close the guide conduit 10. The valveseat 18 is installed through the diaphragm 17 and is defined with theorifice 19. The valve stem 20 is slidably fitted through the valve seat18 to open and close the orifice 19. The support plate 21 is attached toan upper surface of the diaphragm 17 to support the diaphragm 17. Thefirst and second elastic members 22 and 23 are interposed between thecap 3 and the support plate 21 and between the cap 3 and the valve stem20 to apply returning force to the diaphragm 17 and the valve stem 20upon closing the guide conduit 10, respectively.

[0041] The fluid controlling means 6 is well known in the art and hasbeen widely used in a fluid controlling field. In this preferredembodiment of the present invention, the fluid controlling means 6 isarranged between the cap 3 and the guide conduit 10.

[0042] The fluid controlling means 6 is configured in a manner suchthat, when the valve stem 20 is moved upward by expansion of the bladdermember 14 and the orifice 19 of the valve seat 18 is opened, fluidaccommodated in a valve chamber C defined between the cap 3 and thediaphragm 17 is discharged through the orifice 19 into the outlet-sidespace B having a low pressure. Then, as the valve chamber C has a lowpressure, the diaphragm 17 opens the guide conduit 10 under action of ahigh pressure of fluid accommodated in the inlet-side space A. If thebladder member 14 returns to its original state by evacuation of theworking fluid from the bladder member 14, the diaphragm 17 and the valvestem 20 are returned to their original positions by the first and secondelastic members 22 and 23. Due to this fact, as high pressure fluidaccommodated in the inlet-side space A flows through a pilot hole 26defined in the diaphragm 17 into the valve chamber C defined between thecap 3 and the diaphragm 17, when fluid pressure balance is effectedbetween the inlet-side space A and the valve chamber C, the diaphragm 17closes the guide conduit 10.

[0043] The power transmission means includes a power transmission shaft27, a connecting rod 28, a sleeve 29 and a third elastic member 30. Thepower transmission shaft 27 is joined to the valve stem 20. Theconnecting rod 28 is positioned between the power transmission shaft 27and the bladder member 14 of the button 5 to transmit power. The sleeve29 receives therein the connecting rod 28 to guide reciprocation of theconnecting rod 28. The third elastic member 30 applies returning forceto the connecting rod 28 when the diaphragm 17 closes the guide conduit10.

[0044] The power transmission shaft 27 is joined at an upper end thereofto a lower end of the valve stem 20. The power transmission shaft 27 ismoved upward when the bladder member 14 is expanded, to allow the valvestem 20 to open the orifice 19 of the valve seat 18 and the diaphragm 17to open the guide conduit 10.

[0045] The connecting rod 28 has an upper end which is connected to alower end of the power transmission shaft 27 and a lower end which isformed as a pressure plate 31 to be brought into contact with thebladder member 14 of the button 5. The connecting rod 28 is moved upwardby the expansion of the bladder member 14 to move upward the powertransmission shaft 27.

[0046] The sleeve 29 is located between the guide conduit 10 and theholder 4 and defined with a center opening 32 in which the connectingrod 28 is reciprocatingly disposed.

[0047] The third elastic member 30 is interposed between the pressureplate 31 of the connecting rod 28 and the sleeve 29. The third elasticmember 30 functions to apply elastic force for returning the connectingrod 28 to its original position when the bladder member 14 returns toits original state.

[0048] Hereafter, a procedure for controlling fluid flow using thediaphragm valve according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, constructed as mentioned above, will be described withreference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0049]FIG. 3 illustrates a state before the bladder member 14 of thebutton 5, which is received in the holder 4, is expanded. In this state,as working fluid is supplied from the working fluid supplier S into thebutton 5, if the bladder member 14 is expanded, the connecting rod 28moves upward the power transmission shaft 27. By the upward movement ofthe power transmission shaft 27, as the valve stem 20 closing theorifice 19 of the valve seat 18 is also moved upward, the orifice 19 isopened. At this time, since the first and second elastic members 22 and23 are compressed, they accumulate elasticity. If the orifice 19 of thevalve seat 18 is opened as described above, high pressure fluidaccommodated in the valve chamber C between the cap 3 and the diaphragm17 is discharged through the orifice 19 of the valve seat 18 into theoutlet-side space B having a low pressure. By this fact, the valvechamber C finally has a low pressure. At this time, although highpressure fluid accommodated in the inlet-side space A flows into thevalve chamber C between the cap 3 and the diaphragm 17 through the pilothole 26 of the diaphragm 17, since an amount of fluid discharged throughthe orifice 19 into the outlet-side space B is greater than the inflowinto the valve chamber C, the valve chamber C is converted into a lowerpressure state, and thereby the diaphragm 17 opens the guide conduit 10.

[0050] Accordingly, fluid introduced into the valve housing 2 throughthe fluid inlet 7 flows through the opened guide conduit 10 to bedischarged through the fluid outlet 8, and a user can use the dischargedfluid.

[0051] Thereafter, if the working fluid supplied into the bladder member14 of the button 5 is evacuated to interrupt fluid flow, as the bladdermember 14 returns to its original state, the diaphragm 17 is movedtoward the guide conduit 10 by returning force of the first and secondelastic members 22 and 23. Then, as the valve stem 20 closes the orifice19 of the valve seat 18, the high pressure fluid accommodated in theinlet-side space A flows into the valve chamber C defined between thecap 3 and the diaphragm 17 through the pilot hole 26 of the diaphragm17. Thereafter, when fluid pressure balance is effected between theinlet-side space A and the valve chamber C, the diaphragm 17 closes theguide conduit 10 and interrupts fluid flow from the inlet-side space Ainto the outlet-side space B.

[0052] In this first embodiment of the present invention, since thebutton 5 can be hydraulically and pneumatically manipulated in a remotemanner, the diaphragm valve 1 can be used in lieu of a solenoid valve.In particular, at a place where electricity is not supplied, fluid flowcan be controlled by manually pressing the button 5.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, there is shown a hydraulicallyand pneumatically operated diaphragm valve in accordance with a secondembodiment of the present invention. The hydraulically and pneumaticallyoperated diaphragm valve designated by reference numeral 40 comprises avalve housing 41, a cap 42, a flow connector 43, a button 44, fluidcontrolling means 45, and a power transmission shaft 46. The valvehousing 41 is defined therein with a fluid path. The cap 42 closes anupper end opening of the valve housing 41. The flow connector 43 isfixedly located at a fluid outlet 48 of the valve housing 41 in aconcentric relationship with a guide conduit 52 of the valve housing 41.The button 44 is filled with working fluid. An inner end of the button44 is fixed with respect to the flow connector 43, and an outer end ofthe button 44 is projectedly installed through a right side wall of thevalve housing 41. Upon being manipulated by a user, the inner end of thebutton 44 can be expanded and return to its original state to open andclose the flow path. The fluid controlling means 45 has a diaphragm 65.The diaphragm 65 opens the flow path when the outer end of the button 44is pressed and closes the flow path when the outer end of the button 44is released. The power transmission shaft 46 is disposed between theinner end of the button 44 and the fluid controlling means 45. When theinner end of the button 44 is expanded, the power transmission shaft 46is moved upward and transmits power so as to allow the diaphragm 65 toopen the flow path.

[0054] The valve housing 41 is defined at one side wall thereof with afluid inlet 47 and at a lengthwise lower wall thereof with the fluidoutlet 48. The valve housing 41 possesses the upper end opening which isdefined in opposition to the fluid outlet 48 and is communicated withthe inside of the valve housing 41. The upper end opening of the valvehousing 41 is closed by the cap 42. The valve housing 41 has formedtherein an upright wall 49 which divides a space in the valve housing 41into an inlet-side space A and an outlet-side space B. The valve housing41 is projectedly formed at a center portion thereof with the guideconduit 52 through which fluid introduced into the valve housing 41through the fluid inlet 47 can flow to be discharged through the fluidoutlet 48.

[0055] Both side walls of the valve housing 41 which define the fluidinlet 47 and outlet 48 are formed with internal threads, in a mannersuch that a fluid supply pipe 53 and a discharge guide member 54 can bethreadedly coupled into the internal threads.

[0056] The guide conduit 52 projects at the lengthwise center portion ofthe valve housing 41 toward the cap 42. The guide conduit 52 is openedand closed by the fluid controlling means 45 which is installed in theupper end opening of the valve housing 41.

[0057] The cap 42 is detachably assembled to an upper wall of the valvehousing 41. After the fluid controlling means 45 is installed in theupper end opening of the valve housing 41, the cap 42 closes the upperend opening. The cap 42 has a receptacle-shaped contour. A receivinggroove 55 for receiving an upper end of a valve stem 62 constituting thefluid controlling means 45 is defined at a center portion of the cap 42.The cap 42 is locked to the valve housing 41 by means of a lock nut 56.

[0058] The flow connector 43 has a container-shaped configuration and isdefined, on an upper wall thereof, with a center hole 57. The flowconnector 43 is further defined, on a side wall thereof and adjacent toan opened lower end thereof, with at least one fluid passage 58 throughwhich fluid passing through the guide conduit 52 can flow toward thefluid outlet 48. The flow connector 43 is installed on the lower wall ofthe housing 41, defining the fluid outlet 48, in a manner such that thecenter hole 57 is aligned concentrically with the guide conduit 52.

[0059] Here, it is preferred that a plurality of fluid passages 58 aredefined through the side wall of the flow connector 43 so that they arespaced apart one from another in a circumferential direction.

[0060] The button 44 has a pipe member and first and second bladdermembers 59 and 60 which are connected to both ends of the pipe member.The button 44 is filled with working fluid. The first bladder member 59projects to the outside through an assembling hole 61 defined in theother side wall of the valve housing 41. The second bladder member 60 isfixed in the center hole 57 of the flow connector 43, in a manner suchthat, when the fist bladder member 59 is pressed and released, thesecond bladder member 60 is expanded and returns to its original state,respectively, so as to allow the diaphragm 65 to open and close theguide conduit 52.

[0061] Here, it is preferred that the first and second bladder members59 and 60 are made of a soft material such as rubber.

[0062] The fluid controlling means 45 is well known in the art as in thecase of the fluid controlling means 6 of the first embodiment. The fluidcontrolling means 45 is arranged between the cap 42 and the guideconduit 52. The fluid controlling means 45 is configured in a mannersuch that, when the valve stem 62 is moved upward by pressing of thefirst bladder member 59 of the button 44 and an orifice 64 definedthrough a valve seat 63 is opened, fluid accommodated in a valve chamberC defined between the cap 42 and the diaphragm 65 is discharged throughthe orifice 64 into the outlet-side space B. Thereafter, as the valvechamber C is converted into a low pressure state, the diaphragm 65 opensthe guide conduit 52 under action of a high pressure in the inlet-sidespace A. If the first bladder member 59 of the button 44 is released,the diaphragm 65 and the valve stem 62 are returned to their originalpositions by first and second elastic members 68 and 69 respectivelyinterposed between the cap 42 and a support plate 67 and between the cap52 and the valve stem 62. By this fact, as high pressure fluidaccommodated in the inlet-side space A flows through a pilot hole 70defined in the diaphragm 65 into the valve chamber C, when fluidpressure balance is effected between the inlet-side space A and thevalve chamber C, the diaphragm 65 closes the guide conduit 52.

[0063] The power transmission shaft 46 is disposed in the guide conduit52. The power transmission shaft 46 has an upper end which is joined toa lower end of the valve stem 62. The power transmission shaft 46 ismoved upward by the second bladder member 60 of the button 44 which isexpanded when the first bladder member 59 is pressed, and returns to itsoriginal position when the fist bladder member 59 is released, so as toallow the diaphragm 65 to open and close the guide conduit 52.

[0064] Hereafter, a procedure for controlling fluid flow using thediaphragm valve according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention, constructed as mentioned above, will be described withreference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0065]FIG. 6 illustrates a state before the first bladder member 59 ofthe button 44, which projects out of the other side wall of the valvehousing 41, is pressed. In this state, if the first bladder member 59 ispressed by the user, as working fluid flows into the second bladdermember 60, the second bladder member 60 is expanded. By the expansion ofthe second bladder member 60, the power transmission shaft 46 is movedupward, and, as the valve stem 62 closing the orifice 64 of the valveseat 63 is also moved upward, the orifice 64 is opened. At this time,since the first and second elastic members 68 and 69 are compressed,they accumulate elasticity.

[0066] If the orifice 64 of the valve seat 63 is opened as describedabove, high pressure fluid accommodated in the valve chamber C betweenthe cap 42 and the diaphragm 65 is discharged through the orifice 64 ofthe valve seat 63 into the outlet-side space B having a low pressure. Atthis time, although high pressure fluid accommodated in the inlet-sidespace A flows into the valve chamber C between the cap 42 and thediaphragm 65 through the pilot hole 70 of the diaphragm 65, since anamount of fluid discharged through the orifice 64 into the outlet-sidespace B is greater than the inflow into the valve chamber C, fluidexisting in the valve chamber C has a low pressure, and the diaphragm 65opens the guide conduit 52 under the action of a high pressure governingthe inlet-side space A. Accordingly, fluid introduced into the valvehousing 41 through the fluid inlet 47 flows through the opened guideconduit 52 to be discharged through the fluid outlet 48, and the usercan use the discharged fluid.

[0067] When the use of fluid is completed with the first bladder member59 of the button 44 pressed, if the first bladder member 59 is released,the diaphragm 65 is moved toward the guide conduit 52 by returning forceof the first and second elastic members 68 and 69. Then, as the valvestem 62 closes the orifice 64 of the valve seat 63, the high pressurefluid accommodated in the inlet-side space A flows into the valvechamber C through the pilot hole 70. Thereafter, when fluid pressurebalance is effected between the inlet-side space A and the valve chamberC, the diaphragm 65 closes the guide conduit 52 and interrupts fluidflow from the inlet-side space A into the outlet-side space B.

[0068] The diaphragm valve 40 according to this second embodiment of thepresent invention provides advantages in that, since it can be installedon a urinal, it is possible to wash the urinal using water discharged bysoftly pressing the projected button, whereby even children or old andfeeble persons can conveniently manipulate the diaphragm valve 40.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10, there is shown a hydraulicallyand pneumatically operated diaphragm valve in accordance with a thirdembodiment of the present invention. In the hydraulically andpneumatically operated diaphragm valve designated by reference numeral40, the first bladder member 59 of the button 44 is drawn out throughthe assembling hole 61 which is defined through the other side wall ofthe valve housing 41, and is projectedly installed on a separate supportbody.

[0070] Here, as can be readily seen from FIGS. 9 and 10, the firstbladder member 59 of the button 44 is attached to a foot plate F in amanner such that it can be pressed by the foot of the user to controlfluid flow. Since the fluid flow controlling procedure is implemented inthe same manner as the second embodiment of the present invention,detailed description thereof will omitted herein.

[0071] In the diaphragm valve 40 according to this third embodiment ofthe present invention, a lever 71 is additionally installed through theother side wall of the valve housing 41. If the lever 71 is manipulated,the diaphragm 65 can open the guide conduit 52.

[0072] Therefore, the lever 71 can continuously open and close the guideconduit 52 by being rotatively manipulated by the user.

[0073] A shaft hole 72 is defined through the power transmission shaft46 in a diametrical direction. The lever 71 is rotatively installedthrough the other side wall of the valve housing 41, and an eccentricshaft 74 is integrally formed at a distal end of the manipulation lever71 and inserted into the shaft hole 46. Thus, when the lever 71 isrotated by the user, the eccentric shaft 74 inserted into the shaft hole46 moves upward the power transmission shaft 46 to allow the diaphragm65 and the valve stem 62 to open the guide conduit 52 and the orifice 64of the valve seat 63, respectively. Consequently, fluid can becontinuously supplied into the guide conduit 52, independently of themanipulation of the button 44.

[0074] Further, in this third embodiment of the present invention, adischarge guide member 75 is rotatably connected to the lower wall ofthe valve housing 41, defining the fluid outlet 48, by clamping means76, to guide fluid discharged through the fluid outlet 48 to a desiredplace.

[0075] The clamping means 76 for connecting the discharge guide member75 to the lower wall of the valve housing 41 comprises a packing 77, apacking gland 79 and a tightening nut 80. The packing 77 is placed onthe lower end of the flow connector 43. The packing gland 79 is fittedinto the fluid outlet 48 of the valve housing 41 to squeeze the packing77 against the lower end of the flow connector 43. The packing gland 79is formed on a circumferential inner surface thereof with a projectionwhich is to be engaged into a groove 78 defined on a circumferentialouter surface of the discharge guide member 75. The tightening nut 80 isthreadedly coupled around a lower end of the valve housing 41 to pressthe packing gland 79 inward.

[0076] The diaphragm valve 40 according to this third embodiment of thepresent invention provides advantages in that, since it can be installedon a kitchen sink or in a toilet to allow water to be used by simplypressing the button 44, waste of water can be prevented. Moreover, byinstalling the button 44 at a place where it can be convenientlymanipulated by the human body portion, for example, the foot or theknee, even a handicapped person can conveniently operate the diaphragmvalve 40.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 11 through 13, there is shown a hydraulicallyand pneumatically operated diaphragm valve in accordance with a fourthembodiment of the present invention. In the hydraulically andpneumatically operated diaphragm valve designated by reference numeral40, a discharge guide member 81 is installed in the fluid outlet 48 ofthe valve housing 41. The button 44 is fixed to the discharge guidemember 81 to allow use of fluid with the button 44 pressed and tothereby prevent waste of fluid.

[0078] The discharge guide member 81 is communicated with the fluidoutlet 48 of the valve housing 41 to guide discharged fluid to a desiredplace. The discharge guide member 81 can be employed in a washstand of abathroom or a sink of a kitchen. The discharge guide member 81 isdefined with an entrance 82 which is communicated with the fluid outlet48 of the valve housing 41 and an exit 83 which is opened downward.Adjacent to the exit 83, an assembling hole 84, through which the firstbladder member 59 of the button 44 is installed, is defined in thedischarge guide member 81. Here, it is preferred that the assemblinghole 84 is defined adjacent to the exit 83 through a lower wall of thedischarge guide member 81 in consideration of convenience upon pressingthe first bladder member 59.

[0079] As a consequence, by pressing the first bladder member 59 whichprojects out of the lower wall of the discharge guide member 81, theuser can use fluid which is discharged through the exit 83 of thedischarge guide member 81 under the control of the fluid controllingmeans 45. Then, at the same time that the first bladder member 59 isreleased, fluid discharge is interrupted, whereby waste of water isprevented.

[0080] In other words, if the first bladder member 59 is pressed by theuser, as the diaphragm 65 opens the guide conduit 52, fluid isdischarged through the exit 83. Then, if the first bladder member 59 isreleased, as the diaphragm 65 closes the guide conduit 52, fluiddischarge is interrupted. Since the diaphragm 65 is operated in the samemanner as the second embodiment of the present invention, furtherdetailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] The diaphragm valve 40 according to this fourth embodiment of thepresent invention provides advantages in that, since it can be installedon a washstand to allow water to be discharged only when the button 44is pressed, waste of water is prevented. Also, because the first bladdermember 59 of the button 44 is installed on the lower wall of thedischarge guide member 81, it is possible to wash the hand whilepressing the button 44, whereby user convenience is rendered.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 14 through 17, there is shown a hydraulicallyand pneumatically operated diaphragm valve in accordance with a fifthembodiment of the present invention. In the hydraulically andpneumatically operated diaphragm valve designated by reference numeral40, the discharge guide member 81 of the fourth embodiment is replacedwith a shower unit 85.

[0083] The shower unit 85 is detachably coupled into the fluid outlet 48of the valve housing 41 by means of a coupling nut 86.

[0084] As in the conventional art, the shower unit 85 comprises a hose87 and a shower head 88 which is connected to a distal end of the hose87.

[0085] In the shower unit 85, the hose 87 is connected at one endthereof to the fluid outlet 48 of the valve housing 41 to supply fluidto the shower head 88 having a handle. The shower head 88 has a nozzleplate 89 defined with a plurality of nozzle holes through which fluid isinjected. The handle of the shower head 88 is defined with an assemblinghole 90. The first bladder member 59 of the button 44 is projectedlyinstalled through the assembling hole 90. Thus, it is possible toconveniently manipulate the first bladder member 59 while taking ashower.

[0086] Upon using the shower unit 85 constructed as mentioned above, asshown in FIGS. 15 and 16, as the first bladder member 59 of the button44, which is installed on the head 88 of the shower unit 85, is pressedby the user, the diaphragm 65 opens the guide conduit 52, and therebyfluid is discharged through the nozzle plate 89. If the first bladdermember 59 of the button 44 is released, the diaphragm 65 closes theguide conduit 52, and thereby fluid discharge is interrupted. Since thediaphragm 65 is operated in the same manner as the second embodiment ofthe present invention, further detailed description thereof will beomitted.

[0087] The diaphragm valve 40 according to this fifth embodiment of thepresent invention provides advantages in that, since water is dischargedonly when the button 44 installed on the shower head 88 is pressed,waste of water is prevented upon taking a shower. Also, because theshower unit 85 can be closed by simply releasing the button 44 withoutrequiring any additional manipulation, user convenience is rendered.

Industrial Applicability

[0088] As apparent from the above description, the hydraulically andpneumatically operated diaphragm valve according to the presentinvention provides advantages in that, since fluid is discharged onlyupon pressing a button and fluid flow is interrupted upon releasing thebutton, the diaphragm valve can be automatically or manuallymanipulated.

[0089] In particular, due to the fact that the diaphragm valve can bemanually manipulated without using electricity, the diaphragm valveaccording to the present invention can be used in lieu of a solenoidvalve at a place where electricity is not supplied. Also, it is possibleto minimize waste of water.

[0090] The diaphragm valve according to the present invention can beinstalled on a kitchen sink, or in a bathroom or toilet to prevent wasteof water.

1. A hydraulically and pneumatically operated diaphragm valvecomprising: a valve housing defined at both side walls thereof with afluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the valve housing possessing an upperend opening and a lower end opening which are communicated with theinside of the valve housing, the valve housing having formed therein anupright wall which divides a space in the valve housing into aninlet-side space and an outlet-side space, the valve housing beingprojectedly formed at a center portion thereof with a guide conduitthrough which fluid introduced into the valve housing through the fluidinlet can flow to be discharged through the fluid outlet; a capdetachably assembled to an upper wall of the valve housing to close theupper end opening of the valve housing; a holder detachably assembled toa lower wall of the valve housing in opposition to the cap to becommunicated with the lower end opening of the valve housing, andformed, on an inner surface thereof and adjacent to a lower end thereof,with an inward flange; a button having a configuration of a pipe memberin a manner such that a bladder member, which is fixedly received in theholder by being squeezed against the inward flange of the holder, isconnected to one end of the pipe member, and the other end of the pipemember projects out of the holder to be externally supplied with workingfluid and thereby allow the bladder member to be expanded; fluidcontrolling means arranged between the guide conduit and the cap, thefluid controlling means being configured in a manner such that, when avalve stem is moved upward by expansion of the bladder member and anorifice defined through a valve seat is opened, fluid accommodated in avalve chamber defined between the cap and a diaphragm is dischargedthrough the orifice into the outlet-side space, that, as the valvechamber has a low pressure, the diaphragm opens the guide conduit underaction of a high pressure in the inlet-side space and fluid in theinlet-side space flows through the guide conduit into the outlet-sidespace, that, when the bladder member returns to its original state byevacuation of the working fluid from the bladder member, the diaphragmand the valve stem are returned to their original positions by first andsecond elastic members respectively interposed between the cap and asupport plate and between the cap and the valve stem, and that, as highpressure fluid accommodated in the inlet-side space flows through apilot hole defined in the diaphragm into the valve chamber, when fluidpressure balance is effected between the inlet-side space and the valvechamber, the diaphragm closes the guide conduit and interrupts fluidflow from the inlet-side space into the outlet-side space; and powertransmission means configured in a manner such that it is moved upwardby expansion of the bladder member of the button and transmits expansionforce of the bladder member to the valve stem so as to allow the valvestem to open the orifice of the valve seat, and it returns to itsoriginal position when the bladder member returns to its original state.2. The diaphragm valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the powertransmission means comprises: a power transmission shaft joined at anupper end thereof to a lower end of the valve stem, for moving upwardthe valve stem closing the orifice of the valve seat, when the bladdermember of the button is expanded, and thereby opening the orifice of thevalve seat; a connecting rod having an upper end which is connected to alower end of the power transmission shaft and a lower end which isformed as a pressure plate to be brought into contact with the bladdermember of the button, the connecting rod being moved upward by theexpansion of the bladder member to move upward the power transmissionshaft; a sleeve located between the guide conduit and the holder anddefined with a center opening in which the connecting rod isreciprocatingly disposed; and a third elastic member interposed betweenthe pressure plate of the connecting rod and the sleeve, for applyingelastic force to return the connecting rod to its original position whenthe bladder member returns to its original state.
 3. A hydraulically andpneumatically operated diaphragm valve comprising: a valve housingdefined at one side wall thereof with a fluid inlet and at a lower wallthereof with a fluid outlet, the valve housing possessing an upper endopening which is defined in opposition to the fluid outlet andcommunicated with the inside of the valve housing, the valve housinghaving formed therein an upright wall which divides a space in the valvehousing into an inlet-side space and an outlet-side space, the valvehousing being projectedly formed at a center portion thereof with aguide conduit through which fluid introduced into the valve housingthrough the fluid inlet can flow to be discharged through the fluidoutlet; a cap detachably assembled to an upper wall of the valve housingto close the upper end opening of the valve housing; a flow connectorinstalled in the outlet-side opening of the valve housing concentricallywith the guide conduit, the flow connector being defined, on an upperwall thereof, with a center hole and, on a side wall thereof andadjacent to an opened lower end thereof, with at least one fluid passagethrough which fluid passing through the guide conduit can flow towardthe fluid outlet; a button having a pipe member and first and secondbladder members which are connected to both ends of the pipe member, thebutton being filled with working fluid, the first bladder memberprojecting to the outside through an assembling hole defined in theother side wall of the valve housing and the second bladder member beingfixed in the center hole of the flow connector, in a manner such that,when the fist bladder member is pressed and released, the second bladdermember is expanded and returns to its original state, respectively;fluid controlling means arranged between the guide conduit and the cap,the fluid controlling means being configured in a manner such that, whena valve stem is moved upward by pressing of the first bladder member andexpansion of the second bladder member and an orifice defined through avalve seat is opened, high pressure fluid accommodated in a valvechamber defined between the cap and a diaphragm is discharged throughthe orifice into the outlet-side space having a low pressure, that, asthe valve chamber has a low pressure, the diaphragm opens the guideconduit under action of a high pressure in the inlet-side space andfluid in the inlet-side space flows through the guide conduit into theoutlet-side space, that, when the first bladder member is released andthe second bladder member returns to its original state, the diaphragmand the valve stem are returned to their original positions by first andsecond elastic members respectively interposed between the cap and asupport plate and between the cap and the valve stem, and that, as highpressure fluid accommodated in the inlet-side space flows through apilot hole defined in the diaphragm into the valve chamber, when fluidpressure balance is effected between the inlet-side space and the valvechamber, the diaphragm closes the guide conduit and interrupts fluidflow from the inlet-side space into the outlet-side space; and a powertransmission shaft disposed in the guide conduit and having an upper endwhich is joined to a lower end of the valve stem and a lower end whichis brought into contact with the second bladder member, the powertransmission shaft being configured in a manner such that it is movedupward by expansion of the second bladder member of the button andtransmits expansion force of the second bladder member to the valve stemso as to allow the valve stem to open the orifice of the valve seat. 4.The diaphragm valve as set forth in claim 3, wherein a shaft hole isdefined through the power transmission shaft in a diametrical direction;and a manipulation lever is rotatively installed through the other sidewall of the valve housing, and an eccentric shaft is formed at a distalend of the lever and inserted into the shaft hole, in a manner suchthat, when the manipulation lever is rotated by a user, the eccentricshaft moves upward the power transmission shaft to allow the diaphragmto open the guide conduit.
 5. The diaphragm valve as set forth in claim3, wherein the first bladder member of the tube is projectedly installedon a separate support body.
 6. The diaphragm valve as set forth in claim3, wherein a discharge guide member which has an entrance and an exit isconnected to the fluid outlet of the valve housing to guide fluid to adesired point; and the first bladder member of the button is projectedlyinstalled through a wall of the discharge guide member, to allow use offluid discharged through the exit of the discharge guide member whilepressing the first bladder member.
 7. The diaphragm valve as set forthin claim 6, wherein the discharge guide member comprises a shower unit;and the shower unit includes a hose detachably connected at one endthereof to the fluid outlet of the valve housing, and a shower headhaving a handle which is connected at one end thereof to the other endof the hose and defined with an assembling hole for installing the firstbladder member and a nozzle plate which is connected to the other end ofthe handle and defined with a plurality of nozzle holes.